The dominant grape in a mixture of Italian & French grapes is called "Brunello Morellino". Is this the same as "Sangiovese Grosso" or yet a different clone or variety of "Sangiovese"?
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
This use of a so-called "Brunello Morellino" grape in your Super-Tuscan is confusing to say the least. The words point to the many names of Sangiovese in Tuscany, where there are perhaps hundreds of very small variants (or phenotypes) of this important grape. Brunello refers, as your comment suggests, to Sangiovese Grosso, the variation found in the district producing Brunello di Montalcino. Morellino is the moniker of Sangiovese associated with the eponymous wine of Scansano. The grape is also be referred to as Prugnolo Gentile in Vino Nobile, another Tuscan DOCG. While a great deal of research into Sangiovese has been conducted in recent years, there are still questions about genetic differences and, for that matter, the exact parentage of the grape (which has been shown to be related to Ciliegolo and Calabrese Montenuovo). So this leaves us without a clear explanation of the language on this particular wine label. Is the maker perhaps suggesting that they sourced wine for their blend in the two zones using these specific names?
